[BUG] Failed to load session" on macOS desktop app — persists after full local data wipe, affects all sessions including new ones

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Code tab shows "Failed to load session" on every session (old and new). Regular chat tab works fine. Issue started after accidentally denying a permission/OAuth prompt. Full local wipe performed (Application Support, Caches, Logs, Preferences, Saved Application State, HTTPStorages, Keychain entries for "Claude Code-credentials" and "Claude Safe Storage"). Fresh sessions on valid folders still fail. CLI version works fine.

What Should Happen?

Code tab sessions should load successfully. Both new and existing sessions should initialize without 'Failed to load session' error.

Error Messages/Logs

"Failed to load session" — displayed on Code tab for all sessions (new and existing). No additional error output visible in the UI. Regular chat tab functions normally.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude desktop app on macOS
2. Navigate to Code tab
3. Any session (new or existing) shows "Failed to load session"
4. Regular chat tab works normally
5. Issue began after accidentally denying a permission/auth prompt
6. Full local data wipe performed (Application Support, Caches, Logs, Preferences, Keychain entries) — issue persists
7. CLI version (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code) works fine

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Latest as of Feb 19, 2026

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_